Ruru's Tacos + Tequila
Chef-driven tacos, vibrant salsas, and a high-energy tequila & mezcal bar—sunny patios, good music, and late-night vibes
Overview
Ruru’s pairs bold, West-Coast-meets-Tex-Mex flavors with a curated tequila and mezcal program. The menu centers on chef-crafted tacos, fresh salsas, and scratch margaritas—served in a lively setting with a popular patio scene and late-night service.
Our focus has been refining throughput during peak hours, elevating bar mix with batched signatures, and building a craveable, photo-forward brand presence that travels across patios, bar, and dining room.
The Challenge
Maintaining speed and consistency on a taco-forward line—while delivering bar excellence and an upbeat environment—requires tight systems and a strong brand voice.
- Accelerate expo and grill/fry lines at peak without sacrificing quality
- Standardize margarita specs, batching, and juice standards to lift bar mix
- Grow weekday and late-night traffic with targeted offers and activations
- Enhance patio + music-driven atmosphere without creating service friction
- Control COGS with premium agave spirits and fresh produce
Our Solution
We built a playbook that makes the line faster, the drinks tighter, and the brand louder—without losing Ruru’s signature vibe:
Kitchen Throughput
Station maps for grill/fry/taco build, hot/cold mise en place, and par ladders; refactored expo to reduce re-fires and ticket drag at peak.
Bar Program
Agave tiering, batched house margs, fresh-juice SOPs, and spirit-forward signatures to improve speed, margin, and consistency.
Menu & Photography
Revised taco architecture for speed + build integrity, seasonal features, and a photography style optimized for social and OOH.
Marketing & Vibe
Local store marketing, late-night promos, playlist curation, and patio activations (pop-ups, tequila tastings, merch drops).
Results
Gallery
